CTO & Co-Founder
Khaled co-founded ORKA Solutions upon returning to Egypt from Latvia, building a full-service software house that delivered custom solutions across e-commerce, enterprise resource planning, and print-on-demand verticals. He built and trained a team of 18 developers in a comprehensive training program focused on stack-agnostic fundamentals, enabling the team to pivot between React, .NET, Odoo, Shopify, and React Native based on client requirements. The company served approximately 15 clients over three years while Khaled simultaneously maintained his CTO role at CanterVR, often working 20-hour days.
Why I Joined
Returned to Egypt with a dream of building something with a team, training developers, and serving local clients
- •Architected technical solutions across multiple technology stacks including React/Next.js, .NET, Odoo/Python, Shopify, and React Native based on client requirements
- •Built and managed a team of 18 developers, creating a comprehensive training program focused on solid programming fundamentals and stack-agnostic thinking
- •Reviewed pull requests and complex technical modules while maintaining architectural oversight across all client projects
- •Handled client-facing technical discussions, translating business requirements into technical specifications
- •Conducted on-site consulting for complex projects, including multi-day factory visits for manufacturing ERP implementations
- •Balanced ORKA operations with concurrent CanterVR CTO responsibilities, often working 20-hour days
- ✓Built and led a team of 18 developers through a custom training program that enabled rapid stack-switching between React, .NET, Odoo, and Shopify based on client needs
- ✓Successfully delivered solutions for 15 clients across diverse verticals including Egypt's first fresh meat e-commerce platform (la7ma.com), hypermarket ERP systems, and manufacturing workflow automation
- ✓Implemented enterprise-grade solutions replacing expensive German ERP quotes for local businesses, including offline-first cloud sync, POS integration, and CCTV integration for a 7-branch hypermarket chain
- ✓Maintained dual leadership roles (ORKA CTO and CanterVR CTO) simultaneously for over two years, demonstrating exceptional time management and technical leadership capacity
Technology Stack
Situation
After returning to Egypt from Latvia in late 2021, Khaled gathered a team with the initial plan to build a specific product. Recognizing the assembled talent, he and co-founder Shehab pivoted to create a software house serving the Egyptian market while Khaled maintained his remote CTO role at CanterVR.
Task
Build a sustainable software business in Egypt, training local talent in professional development practices while delivering quality solutions across multiple technology stacks to diverse clients.
Action
Khaled designed and implemented a comprehensive developer training program focused on solid fundamentals rather than specific frameworks, enabling the team to pivot between stacks as client needs demanded. He personally oversaw architectural decisions across all projects, conducted on-site consulting for complex ERP implementations (including multi-day factory visits), and managed the technical relationship with approximately 15 clients. All this while maintaining his CanterVR responsibilities, often working 20-hour days and occasionally sleeping at the office.
Result
Over three years, ORKA Solutions successfully served 15 clients across e-commerce, ERP, and print-on-demand verticals, building a team of 18 developers. The company broke even financially, with the experience providing invaluable lessons in market dynamics, team building, and the challenges of technology adoption in emerging markets. Khaled ultimately decided to close the company, recognizing that client education consumed too much energy relative to building.
Size: 18 people
Structure: Software house with dedicated development teams per client vertical
Reported to: Self (Co-Founder)
Direct reports: 18
Skills Gained
Skills Deepened
- 💡Running a software house requires significant client education in markets where technology adoption is still maturing
- 💡Stack-agnostic developer training enables team flexibility but requires substantial upfront investment
- 💡Balancing entrepreneurship with other commitments requires exceptional time management and often personal sacrifice